Abstract: If you find retirement planning daunting, a target-date fund purports to offer relief. They're designed to provide a "set it and forget it" investment solution for individuals with a long-term savings goal, like retirement. While target-date funds have certain benefits, their cookie-cutter approach also has its drawbacks. Here's a look at the pros and cons of target-date funds and how to choose one that's right for you.

Abstract: Investors saving for retirement must consider a range of factors, including the objectives they wish to achieve and the risks they are willing to take. One factor that often receives significant attention is sequence-of-returns (SoR) risk, the concern that portfolio losses around retirement could impact the ability to support postretirement income needs.

Abstract: The fourth quarter of 2018 brought the markets well beyond correction territory and to the precipice of a bear market. For the first time since the 2008/2009 market crash, we've had the opportunity to glimpse at whether the various "fixes" to target-date funds following that debacle have created a more durable vehicle. While the jury may still be out, we may have stumbled upon one unexpected benefit to target-date funds (and default investments in general).

Abstract: Besides the differences in glide path determination, TDFs will vary in their investment strategies and fees. There are no guidelines or requirements as to how TDFs must structure their investments or glide paths. Plan fiduciaries need to establish a prudent process for selecting and monitoring a TDF. This article reviews a few things to consider.

Abstract: An ongoing study of how real-life participant saving patterns interact with target-date design continues to show that suboptimal participant behaviors and the consequent increase in cash flow volatility remain much more prevalent than many plan sponsors might expect. This series of three articles discusses findings and the steps plan sponsors can take to place participants on a path to a more secure retirement.

Abstract: The fundamental, underlying problem with most target-date funds, then, is that they focus primarily on the savings phase of retirement planning while ignoring the spending phase. This is reinforced by most target-date fund evaluators because they focus on one-, three-, five-, or 10-year performance and risk (standard deviation). That is, they evaluate target-date funds only in terms of how they treat accumulation, not how they handle both accumulation and decumulation.

Abstract: LifePath, the industry's first target-date fund, prepares to mark its 25th anniversary in 2018, creating the perfect opportunity to step back and consider the growth and future of target-date funds.

Abstract: In a recent survey of nearly 500 consultants, sponsors, and retirement plan advisors, the majority now prefers open-architecture, or multimanager, target-date funds. This portends a significant shift in plan design, given that less than a third of target-date funds employ an open-architecture approach today. Performance is the driving factor.

Abstract: Whether there are target-date funds in your defined contribution plan lineup or you're considering adding them, evaluation and review are critical to your due diligence process as a plan fiduciary. This guide is focused on the practical steps to take during the evaluation process, which may include comparison and selection of TDFs, understanding their underlying investments, reviewing fees, developing communications, and documenting the process.

Abstract: The underlying investments in DC plans need to evolve to improve retirement income outcomes for participants. The strategic use of alternative assets in a TDF structure, or a diversified TDF, demonstrates that including these asset classes can improve expected retirement income and mitigate loss in downside scenarios.

Abstract: One of the most popular investment strategies employed in US retirement accounts is ill-suited for the job, according to research on retirement outcomes. These strategies are known as target-date funds. Academics suggest such products may struggle to deliver a consistent stream of income for retirees.

Abstract: Younger 401k plan participants have large allocations to target-date and other types of balanced funds, according to a new joint study released today by the Investment Company Institute and the Employee Benefit Research Institute. At year-end 2016, 64 percent of 401k participants in their twenties held target-date funds, compared with 45 percent of 401k participants in their sixties.

Abstract: As more plans adopt qualified default investment alternatives for their set-it-and-forget-it participants, target-date funds have grown to nearly $2 trillion in assets. Now that the problem of getting people enrolled in a retirement plan has been addressed, it is time to tackle how investments in these plans are chosen to make sure there is a focus on long-term outcomes and performance.

Abstract: Among the biggest DC trends is the use of target-date funds to grow retirement wealth. According to a recent Vanguard report, nine in 10 defined contribution plan sponsors offered target-date funds as an investment option at the end of 2017. If your retirement plan currently includes target-date funds or you're considering them, it's important to balance their pros and cons.

Abstract: It isn't hard to find a plan that has invested in target date funds (TDFs). But it can be hard to find assessments that ask hard questions about them. A recent white paper fills that void and asks whether TDFs are the panacea some may think.

Abstract: Defined contribution money managers reported a large jump in target-date assets under management to $1.44 trillion as of Dec. 31, up 30.5% from the end of 2016, according to Pensions & Investments' annual survey. Consultants cited target-date strategies' prominence as default investment options, the increased use of auto features, and positive market returns in 2017 as contributors to those funds' growth.

Abstract: Target-date funds built by firms with large networks of 401k plan advisers are beginning to gather significant assets, posing a direct threat to some asset managers trying to distribute their own products.

Abstract: For plan sponsors, the tremendous growth in assets, changing market conditions and balancing the needs of younger and older participants complicates selection and monitoring of target-date funds. Advisors can help by bringing plan demographics to the discussion and looking at the distribution of ages and account balances of a plan population.

Abstract: This article describes the benchmarks that are currently available and offers some guidance on selecting the appropriate benchmark. Fiduciaries should align the objectives of their TDF with those of the benchmark, and confirm that the benchmark glide path and underlying allocations are in line with the TDF that is being evaluated.

Abstract: Economist Laurence Kotlikoff points out that economic theory does not support TDFs' age-based thesis. He cites two separate studies that independently concluded that we should hold the same portfolios as we age. In other words, our investment decisions should be the same when we're 30 as when we're 90. This article reviews why.

Abstract: The data are in, and they tell a powerful story about the state of retirement in America. The 17th edition of How America Saves delves into the retirement savings behavior of 4.6 million participants in defined contribution (DC) retirement plans for which Vanguard provides recordkeeping services. Our data-rich report examines trends in how participants accumulate, manage, and access retirement savings.

Abstract: Target-date funds differ significantly in terms of asset classes, glide path, fulfillment, and fees. It is a rich variety to choose from and at the same time may add to one's perplexity. So, how do plan sponsors evaluate a TDF series?

Abstract: Target-date funds hit a momentous mark in 2017 by eclipsing $1 trillion in assets.The funds' unimpeded growth means target-date funds play an increasingly important role in retirement success for more and more investors. Morningstar's recently released annual report covers recent developments in the competitive landscape. Here's a summary of target-date fund landscape in just five charts.

Abstract: The use of passive target-date funds in DC plans continues to grow, in part due to their low-cost relative to other TDF options. While the cost advantages of these TDFs can be attractive, cost represents only one of the factors that plan sponsors and their advisors should consider when selecting a TDF on behalf of participants. This 11-page paper highlights three common myths about passive TDFs to help plan sponsors dig deeper in their due diligence and ensure they follow a prudent selection process based firmly on their specific plan needs.

Abstract: Beyond the obvious benefit of having a professional manager and rebalance portfolios, the HR manager believes that target-date strategies relieve employee stress and burden of having to select and manage funds themselves.

Abstract: In its discussions with TDF managers, Mercer has found many managers say they have not aligned with the ACWI, and have continued with portfolios that display home equity bias for a number of reasons; the research also shows strong growth in passive TDF market share.

Abstract: Mercer is out with topical info on target date products, reminding all involved that the fact that so many participants simply default into TDFs does increase the importance of the plan sponsor's selection of the TDF provider.

Abstract: Client money has continued to flow out of the Fidelity's Freedom Funds as retirement plan sponsors shift workers' savings to rivals in the target-date fund business. The exodus stems in part from unease with the way Fidelity has boosted performance, by ramping up risk. Since a strategy overhaul that took full effect in 2014, Fidelity has substantially increased exposure to stocks, including those from volatile emerging markets. The firm also scrapped a long-held belief of sticking to pre-set allocations of stocks, bonds and other assets in target-date funds.

Abstract: This article addresses three major features common to most TDF's structure: asset allocation, management style, and fees. If not evaluated carefully -- on a manager-by-manager basis -- could result in a mismatch between an employer's goals and participant investment results.

Abstract: About a third of participants across Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers who self-manage the investment of their plan accounts are more conservative than a typical target-date fund appropriate to their age.

Abstract: The proliferation of target-date fund varieties can confuse many plan sponsors. One survey found that while nearly two-thirds of plan sponsors consider investment performance the most important selection criterion when choosing a TDF for their participants, more than half are not confident that they have a solid basis for benchmarking the TDFs against other similar funds in the marketplace.

Abstract: Vanguard plan participants reached a critical tipping point. Half of all Vanguard participants are invested in a single target-date fund. And 57% of all participants were solely invested in a professionally managed allocation: 4% were using managed account options, 3% held a single-risk-based balanced fund, and 50% held one TDF.

Abstract: Competition for target-date funds in the DC market is showing no sign of abating. DC Specialists are looking outside the two-dominant target-date fund providers. While American Funds and Vanguard continue to square off for the greatest proportion of target-date fund dollars among this elite plan advisor segment, three investment managers are gaining ground.

Abstract: Despite the challenging barriers to entering a concentrated market, a new study points to open-architecture series as a way for target-date fund managers to benefit from increased demand for their products.

Abstract: The 2017 TDF Buyer's Guide represents $1.6 trillion in assets as of June 30. Of the target-date fund market reported, 60% of products are in mutual funds, 37% in collective investment trusts, and 3% in variable portfolios. The analysis is based on the 71 off-the-shelf, or prepackaged, products and custom solutions are excluded.

Abstract: Research shows that the majority of assets in DC plans today are invested in the QDIA, and most of those assets are invested in target-date funds. In speaking with top advisor teams in the industry, PIMCO learned that many would benefit from more guidance on how to establish and conduct an ongoing TDF monitoring process.

Abstract: It is important that plan sponsors understand that choosing a passive target-date option is far more complicated than opting for a passive option in a straightforward, single-style strategy. This 4-page paper highlights the key issues surrounding passive target-date funds, including how they differ from active strategies and how to differentiate between passive offerings.

Source: Fiallc.com, September 2017

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